When the Texas Legislature reconvened on Jan. 8, lawmakers already had on their desks bills aimed at undoing city of Austin rules. The city-state conflict is nothing new. Last time they met in 2017, state lawmakers passed bills overturning Austin ordinances affecting ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, and passed a “sanctuary cities” bill. Several […]
Texas State Legislature
Posted inAustin
Science friction: Austin Democrats look at growing clash between politics and facts
Perhaps the key to fighting fake news claims and a growing resistance to scientific research in state and federal policy decisions comes down to teaching scientists and engineers how to tell jokes. The need for making scientific analysis accessible and relatable to everyday voters was one of the points discussed Wednesday at a panel of […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
How three former federal immigration officials view Texas’ ‘sanctuary cities’ ban
The next chapter in the fight over Texas’ immigration enforcement law begins Tuesday, as attorneys on both sides of the case over Senate Bill 4, the so-called “sanctuary cities” law, head back to federal court. Judges for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans will consider a temporary block placed on most […]
Posted inTravis County
Prostitution court falling short of county expectations
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday revealed that a justice program aimed at helping residents charged with prostitution is falling short of expectations. “Relying on the criminal and civil justice system to boot-strap these individuals who are in such serious need is simply not enough,” Eckhardt said during a Commissioners Court discussion of two […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Abbott takes aim at Austin’s tree protections
Austin leaders who watched with dismay as GOP lawmakers spent much of the recently concluded legislative session undermining city policies on immigration, ride-sharing and short-term rentals could at least take comfort in the fact that the state did not completely take away its ability to protect trees. In fact, city leaders welcomed a tree-regulation bill […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Is a grueling special session ahead?
Brie Franco, the city’s intergovernmental relations officer, told City Council at Tuesday’s work session that although Austin had “some positive outcomes” during the just-ended legislative session, many of the items defeated by the city and its allies are likely to show up again at the special session starting July 18. In his press announcement about […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Talking Texas Legislature with Deece Eckstein
Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator for Travis County Deece Eckstein joins Austin Monitor reporter Caleb Pritchard to talk over the ins and outs of the 85th Texas Legislature on the verge of what promises to be a very special session for the region. Listen in below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/328779789″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inEnvironment
Tree protection programs may not have the impact on property owners many believe
When lawmakers meet in Austin later this summer for a special legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott wants them to curb Texas towns’ ability to protect local trees. He’s framed his directive as part of a larger effort to end “micro-managing” from liberal Texas cities like Austin, but lost in that rhetoric is the relative popularity […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Democrats call on Dukes to step down for failing to show up
Democratic House Rep. Dawnna Dukes of Austin was already in hot water at the start of the legislative session. She had walked back a promise to resign and, soon after, was indicted. But Travis County Democrats say she then failed to do a major part of her job: show up. According to Community Impact, she’s […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Updated: City of Austin joins San Antonio in lawsuit against ‘sanctuary cities’ law
By Stephanie Federico The City of Austin has filed a legal challenge to the state’s new “sanctuary city” law, joining a suit filed Thursday by the City of San Antonio. “Elected leaders across the state are following the leadership of community members who have called for a Summer of Resistance against the immoral and unconstitutional […]
Posted inAISD
AISD braces itself for end of legislative session
The Austin Independent School District’s budget has been strained since the city’s rapid growth began in the late 1990s, but this year’s state legislative session has district staff anticipating the worst. Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley Johnson told the AISD Board of Trustees at its May 22 meeting that the best it could hope for […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Austin City Council votes to challenge Texas over new ‘sanctuary cities’ law
By Lisa Dreher and Elizabeth Pagano Though it has already been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Austin City Council can now pursue its own case against Texas’ “sanctuary cities” law. On Thursday, Council voted to allow the city to sue the state over Senate Bill 4, and go to court even if Paxton’s […]